As we are aware, the Deputy President of our country, the Hon Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, is leading what we call the Accelerated Shared and Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA) - a plan for faster and shared economic growth, which is building on the achievements and opportunities that were created as a result of the freedom that we are celebrating today.

One, called the Accelerated Learning Program and piloted at the Community College of Baltimore County, "mainstreams" developmental students into college-level courses along with companion classes that provide extra help.

While many African countries have shied away from deregulating the telecommunications industry, Ghana took the plunge in 1994 when the government announced a five-year comprehensive restructuring of the industry, known as the Accelerated Development Programme 2000

Despite her cosmetic change, Dilma has still not announced her interest in being a presidential candidate although she is expected to begin a marathon round of public appearances in February in which she will unveil works for the so-called Accelerated Growth Program.